Ballad Health, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, Rotary Club of Bristol, VA/TN, Rotary Action Group Against Slavery, partner to present Human Trafficking Awareness, Education and Prevention Summit featuring Tim Tebow

The Rotary Human Trafficking Summit: Awareness, Education & Prevention will bring together community members from Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, across the U.S. and from abroad, on Monday, July 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marriott MeadowView Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport. Ballad Health is serving as the title sponsor for the event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Bristol, VA/TN and Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS), which aims to raise awareness about human trafficking and empower attendees with knowledge and resources to help prevent exploitation in their communities.

Human trafficking is a global issue that affects communities of every size, including those in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Organizers say the summit is designed to increase awareness of trafficking and exploitation, educate attendees on recognizing warning signs, connect participants with available resources and reporting mechanisms and inspire action to better protect vulnerable individuals throughout the region.

The summit's featured guest will be Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation. Through his foundation, Tebow has become a leading advocate in the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation, supporting initiatives that identify victims, assist survivors and help bring traffickers to justice. Tebow has often spoken about his personal commitment to protecting vulnerable children and raising awareness of exploitation around the world.

"Human trafficking is one of the most urgent and heartbreaking issues facing communities around the world," said Tom King, past president of the Rotary Club of Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia. "Many people are surprised to learn that trafficking and exploitation can occur right here in our own communities. By bringing together nationally recognized experts, survivor advocates, law enforcement professionals and community leaders, our goal is to educate the public, increase awareness and empower individuals to recognize the signs of trafficking and take action."

Organizers hope the summit will equip attendees with practical information they can use in their workplaces, schools, healthcare settings and communities while fostering a broader regional effort to combat human trafficking and exploitation. As the event's title sponsor, Ballad Health views the summit as an opportunity to strengthen awareness among healthcare professionals, who may be uniquely positioned to recognize signs of trafficking and connect individuals with resources.

"As healthcare providers, we care for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, and that responsibility extends beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics," said Alan Levine, chairman and CEO of Ballad Health. "Victims of human trafficking often interact with healthcare professionals during critical moments when intervention may be possible. Through education and awareness, we can help caregivers better recognize the signs of trafficking, connect individuals with resources and play an important role in preventing exploitation. Ballad Health is proud to support this summit and the collaborative efforts to make our region safer."

The summit has also attracted support from community and business leaders who recognize the importance of collaboration in addressing complex social issues.

“Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is proud to partner with Ballad Health on this important initiative,” said Allie Evangelista, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. "Human trafficking affects communities everywhere, and we believe businesses have an important role to play in supporting awareness and education. By bringing together healthcare professionals, law enforcement, community leaders and advocates, this summit creates an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, share knowledge and help equip people with the tools to recognize and respond to this critical issue. We are honored to partner with Ballad Health to help provide a space for these important conversations."

The summit will feature nationally recognized experts, advocates, law enforcement leaders and frontline professionals working to combat human trafficking and child exploitation, including:

• Tim Tebow, Founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation
• Dave McCleary, Rotary Action Group Against Slavery
• Hillary Evans, 3Strands Global Foundation
• Marc Pritchett, Destiny Rescue
• Pete Donovan, The Sentinel Foundation
• Dr. Ashley Poklar, The Sentinel Foundation
• Trish Southerland, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Task Force
• Alex Bast, Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking
• Hayley Griffith, Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking
• Brandy Belton, Truckers Against Trafficking Mobile Exhibit
• Donna Hughes, Enough is Enough
• Sabrina Dorman-Andrew, New Creation VA
• Heather Lively, Well Spring
• Mike Filetti, Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office of the Second Judicial District
• Chad Sorrell, Serving Orphans Worldwide

Continuing education credit is available. Ballad Health is accredited by the ACCME to provide CME for physicians and designates this activity for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.

The summit is intended for healthcare professionals, educators, first responders, counselors, faith leaders, parents, students, business leaders, law enforcement personnel and anyone interested in helping prevent human trafficking and child exploitation in the region. Attendees will learn how trafficking occurs, how to recognize indicators of exploitation and where to turn for help when concerns arise.

Tickets for the summit are $20 per person, and all proceeds will support efforts related to human trafficking prevention, education and awareness.

Learn more about the Rotary Human Trafficking Summit, including registration details and continuing education credit updates.